Hensons receive Presidential Medallion

Receiving the Presidential Medallion was a delightful surprise for NMSU alumni and former Aggie men's basketball Head Coach Lou Henson and his wife, Mary.

“We are deeply humbled to receive this prestigious award in view of the outstanding qualifications of the others previously chosen,” Mary says. “This recognition will remain one of the most cherished that we have received. Just the fact that it was our beloved NMSU that bestowed this treasure upon us automatically elevates its significance to us.”

The Presidential Medallion, which recognizes outstanding service given to the university beyond an individual’s time as an employee, was presented at the 2018 Spring Convocation in January.

“Lou and Mary Henson have done so much for our university and so much for our community,” NMSU Chancellor Garrey Carruthers says. “In addition to his outstanding career, Coach Henson has helped with the Boys and Girls Club and has always been willing to help with other community efforts. Mary Henson played a key role in the ‘NMSU Aggies are Tough Enough to Wear Pink’ campaign. These two are outstanding members of our Aggie family.”

“Whatever we achieved beyond college days can be traced directly to all of those distinguished educators, administrators and coaches who were instrumental in our development,” the couple says. “We will be forever appreciative of their collective efforts to prepare us for future endeavors. It is our hope that along life’s way, we have paid forward what is owed to those who have gone before us in Aggie land.”